Empty Stocking Fund: There’s an art to recovery for Coquitlam mother

Janet Hasenknopf poses with some of her art work and her dog Buck at her home in Coquitlam.Photo by
Arlen Redekop

Janet Hasenknopf is working her way back from mental illness, the breakup of her marriage and temporary loss of her kids, as well as ongoing spinal problems.

She’s attempting to get off disability by building up her art business, which began with paintings she did while undergoing treatment.

But the 36-year-old from Coquitlam is deeply appreciative of the Christmas hamper and gifts for her three kids that she will get from Share Family and Community Services, one of the many groups getting help from the Empty Stocking Fund.

“I don’t have much family,” said Hasenknopf. “The kids are not showered with gifts.

“The Christmas hamper program is vital,” she said. “The food bank has been a huge help.”

While she likely has more back surgery ahead next year, Hasenknopf is optimistic the art work she began producing in 2010 while in hospital for back problems will make her more self-sufficient.

“I started painting pictures for staff in the hospital and visitors and patients,” she said. “I was told I should be selling them.”

That’s exactly what she started to do.

“I had been using painting in my occupational therapy group,” said Hasenknopf, who admitted to not having any real artistic bent while growing up.

But she began Googling pictures on her phone and making freehand copies of them.

Her artwork, which ranges from inspirational quotes to Christmas decor and abstract art, is available online at ColorsandMoreColors.etsy.com.

Hasenknopf’s story may be unique, but there are a lot of people needing help in the Tri-Cities area of Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody, along with Anmore and Belcarra, that Share services, according to director of development Valerie Hutton.

“I know anecdotally there are many homeless people living along the river in Port Coquitlam,” said Hutton. “There’s definitely need in the Tri-Cities.

“I think there’s need everywhere in the province,” she said.

With a $6-million annual budget, Share has a broad range of services that includes everything from a food bank to counselling, social housing, legal advocacy and helping newcomers to Canada. Approximately 36 per cent of those helped by Share’s year-round food bank are children.

The Empty Stocking Fund helps with Share’s seasonal Christmas hamper program and Toy Shop, where clients can select gifts that children might not otherwise receive.

Share delivered 1,168 Christmas hampers last year and this year is preparing more than 1,300.

In 2013 1,603 children from 797 families received toys and this year that number is also expected to increase.

Anyone wishing to help Share can go online to sharesociety.ca or call 604-540-9161.

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